Page 10 of Silver Tears

I pause, considering his words. “Err, no. Never.” And with that, I jump out of the car. I hightail off up the drive, keeping to the tree line, hoping neither of my brother’s spot Seb dropping me off. That would be one conversation I would not want to have with my brothers.

I make it home and into the house with no one hearing me. As I lie down in my bed that night, my mind is whirling from the events of today. I’m worried about my mum and Charlie. My thoughts also drift to Seb Collings and his cocky, sexy grin. It’s like God is working against me and placing me in Seb’s path at every opportunity.

MILLY

“Why can’t I come?” I pout as I watch Damon pull on his trainers and grab his jacket.

“Because you’re not invited.”

“But it’s my sister too. I don’t need an invitation,” I remind him. He’s off for tea at my sister’s tonight and he’s taking Eliza with him. “Eliza wouldn’t mind.”

He sighs and walks over to where I’m lying on his bed, resting my head in my hands. “Look, not tonight, okay? Princess has a lot going on right now and she needs a female friend.”

I smile and point at myself. “I can be that friend. Seriously, Eliza loves me.”

Damon smiles briefly at me. “What I mean is she needs someone older who has a little more life experience than you. You’ve lived a pretty sheltered life, sis. Others haven’t had it as easy.”

I frown. I know I have grown up protected and have experienced very little hardship. I do. It doesn’t mean I can’t understand, though. “I understand more than you know.” If only he knew how much I have seen thanks to mum’s situation.

Damon reaches down and playfully ruffles my hair. “She needs a listening ear tonight, and I think Emma could be what she needs right now. Besides, shouldn’t that so-called boyfriend of yours be taking you out and spoiling you like you deserve?”

“I have a test this week in history. I need to study, so no date nights this week.” That news hadn’t gone down well with Ryan. A group from school was going to the harbour tonight and he’d wanted me to go with him, but I’d said no. I didn’t get straight A’s without putting in the hard work. I’m not stupid, but I have to work hard for my grades.

“My perfect little sister, setting high expectations for the rest of us,” Damon says, as he turns off his television and ushers me towards the door.

Perfect. I’m not perfect, but I try my utmost to get good grades and make my dad proud. I meander back to my room and pull out my books, spreading them across my bed. I settle down for a solid, few hours of study. I’m about an hour into my revision notes when there is a knock from my bedroom balcony window. Frowning, thinking it’s Ryan who’s here to persuade me to go out, I yank back the curtains ready to rip him one. I double blink when I find none other than Seb Collings standing there.

I swear under my breath when I remember I am in my little miss perfect vest and pyjama shorts Damon bought me for Christmas. “What are you doing here?” I ask bluntly, as I open the door separating us.

Seb smirks as he takes a leisurely perusal of my body. “Cute bed shorts.”

I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him. “I’ll ask again. Why are you here?”

He doesn’t answer as he strolls past me and into my bedroom. I watch him as he turns on the spot and takes in my room. “Nice room.”

I close the patio door and lean against it, watching him. He wanders around my room and picks up random objects before placing them back down again. When he reaches my bed, he takes in the books and shakes his head, tutting.

“Studying on a Friday night. You truly are a nerd, aren’t you, Mills?”

I’m not rising to the bait tonight. We are not playing this game. “I have an assignment to do. Not that it’s any of your business. Spit it out and leave, please.”

My frown deepens as he throws himself down on my bed, messing up my notes. He places his hands behind his head and crosses his legs at the ankle. He watches me with a humorous smile on his perfect face.

“You’re coming to my party,” he announces. He gestures with his head to my wardrobes. “Pick out something tight and sexy. If you’re going to be my plus one, you need to look the part.”

“I don’t need to find something sexy, because hell will freeze over before I go to a party with you.” I gesture towards the door. “Now run along and leave me in peace.”

“No one ever turns me down,” he states with a confused frown, and it’s kind of cute.

“Well, that’s because you’re a spoilt and entitled rich boy,” I tell him with a fake smile.

His response is to snicker. “Let’s not pretend that you aren’t a spoilt little rich girl, Mills. I bet you are daddy’s perfect little girl, aren’t you?”

Okay, now he is pissing me off. “Where do you get off? Turning up in my bedroom, slagging me off and demanding I go to a party with you.”

“It’s my eighteenth, and I need one night where I am not being hounded by Tamara.”

I tip my head back and laugh. “Oh, so that’s what this is about. You weren’t inviting me because you wanted to enjoy my company. You only want me there to ward off your psycho girl.”

---